Part 1 of our software overview gave you a look at navigating through Sony’s custom user interface on the X10 Mini. Just slapping any old version of Android onto the smallest smartphone would not suffice. Sony’s skinned version of Android 1.6 does the job very well and makes the X10 Mini very usable, even by the most skeptical.

In part 2 of our software overview, we venture further into the software making up the X10 Mini. We take a look at the social networking applications, the browser, and we also look at the video playback capability. Surprisingly, for such a [...]

In this next video, we explore the hardware of the Sony Ericsson X10 Mini. With a capacitive screen measuring only 2.5″ and a resolution of 240 x 320, the X10 Mini is surely a unique device. Sony set out to design a smartphone that could be used by anyone, while being very affordable and easy to use.

Weighing in at only 3.11oz, the X10 Mini weighs almost half of the HTC EVO 4G (6oz). While it is thicker than many of today’s smartphones, it is easy to forget that is in in your pocket. The X10 Mini is also Bluetooth 2.0 capable, has built in WiFi, and has a MicroSD [...]

Our unboxing video gave you a brief look at the custom user interface that Sony has incorporated with the X10 Mini. However, in our Software Overview Part 1 video we will spend some time giving you a tour of this Sony skin. The UI keeps the idea of one-handed operation in mind by allowing the user to swipe from widget to widget with ease.

Unfortunately, the X10 Mini does not support a qwerty keyboard, but typing out short messages on this capacitive screen paired with multi-tap seemed to still be very fast. One pleasant surprise found here is that the Sony Ericsson X10 Mini has [...]

In this video, we unbox the Sony Ericsson X10 Mini Android smartphone. While most smartphone manufacturers are trying to create devices with larger screens, Sony has a different approach with the X10 Mini. It’s 2.6″ screen was designed with “one-handed operation” in mind, allowing users to easily carry and operate the X10 Mini.

Below you’ll find the unboxing video in full-length. So, what are you waiting for?! Press play!

Stay tuned as we continue our series on the X10 Mini with Software Overview videos, a Hardware Overview video, and [...]

The Sony Ericsson X10 Mini is truly a unique smartphone. With a form-factor unlike any other Android device, our final review is sure to be very interesting. So, check it out below!

If you have already seen our video coverage you can skip to the bottom of the page and watch the final video review.

Software

This device was created with the idea of single-handed operation in mind. Due to this, Sony has created a custom user interface for the X10 Mini. Users can easily swipe left and right through the menu system. Navigation is literally a breeze. Despite the [...]

If you’re kicking the SE XPERIA X10 (which was recently rooted, we might add), you can look forward to getting an over-the-air update to Froyo in the “coming weeks” according to Sony Ericsson. Hopefully the upgrade will bring some much needed speed to the X10, as many find the clunky TimeScape interface to be a bit on the slow side. Here’s what was said:

Hi all,

Many of you have been asking about the software update coming to the Xperia X10 this summer and we are pleased to share the details of it today.

The XPERIA X10 was Sony Ericsson’s first Android device, pre-loaded with their proprietary TimeScape interface (which you either loved or hated). Over at XDA, users are reporting that they’ve successfully rooted the X10, and have provided instructions (with video) for anyone that is interested experiencing the glories of rooting their X10. Jump on over to the thread for more info.

While XPERIAS of yore have been expensive, especially in the US as those models have been sold unlocked without any carrier arrangements, the recently announced XPERIA X8 from Sony Ericsson will be much more affordable and will pack in some of the attractive features of the XPERIA X10, including the company’s great Timescape and Mediascape apps and the attractive SE user interface. With the mid-range Android XPERIA X8, Sony Ericsson will be following HTC’s pricing strategy releasing a high-end model, such as the X10 and the HTC Desire and then following those with mid-range [...]

As promised by Sony Ericsson, those that own the XPERIA X2 can now download an update that will give your device Windows Mobile 6.5.3, among other little fixes. To get the update, visit the SE Update website. Depending on your region, the update may not be available yet. If not, head to XDA where they show you how to get it sooner.

Remember the XPERIA X10 Mini? It was announced back at MWC along with the X10 Mini Pro (which adds a keyboard). In this video from Sony Ericsson, we get a sense for how the packaging will look for the XPERIA X10. These new devices from Sony Ericsson may just be the smallest Android devices to date, with 2.55″ screens at only QVGA resolution. We can see that in addition to black, the X10 Mini will have black, white, pink, red, yellow and silver backings available, with the X10 Mini Pro providing the choice of black or red. We’re expecting the X10 Mini and Mini Pro to go on [...]

The Sony Ericsson XPERIA X2 Windows Mobile 6.5.x smartphone is now available for pre-order with North American compatible 3G from Sony Style, Sony’s official webstore. The XPERIA X2 that is compatible for North America, in particular AT&T’s 3G flavor, is called the X2a, and will retail for $600 on April 29, which is also the day that the Android HTC Droid Incredible launches to the public on Verizon Wireless.

The X2a features a sliding keyboard along with a customized UI from Sony Ericsson. It also has a WVGA resistive touchscreen that measures 3.2 inches and [...]

After a Sony Ericsson product manager stated that the Sony Ericsson XPERIA X10 can’t do multitouch–disappointing quite a few fans of the Android handset–British cell phone retailer mobiles.co.uk is claiming the contrary. According to the retailer, the XPERIA X10 will be getting multitouch via a software update from Sony Ericsson in the second half of this year.

Consumers wishing to jump on the XPERIA X10 should be cautioned to make their purchasing decisions accordingly on features presented, not promised nor speculated future features. Especially in this [...]

In February, we mentioned Sony Ericsson’s upgrade path for the Xperia X2, which included plans to release updates in March and May. Although the first update lagged into April, it’s finally here.

The MR1 firmware update supposedly bumps Windows Mobile to 6.5.2, enables video calling, gives users FM Radio access and introduces fast GPS. Previous bugs should also be resolved. If you happen to have an Xperia X2 and want to update, you can do so using Sony Ericsson’s Update Service (SEUS). Let us know in the comments if there are any other hidden gems or new bugs [...]

I got a chance to play with the Android XPERIA handsets at CTIA and Sony Ericsson did a great job with skinning Android on the XPERIA X10 and X10 Mini. In my opinion, the X10 feels a bit on the light side, though still a solid handset–from the large screen I had expected something a bit heftier. The X10 Mini was a joy and still delivers all the power of Android in a small, sleek package. There is also the X10 Mini Pro, which was unveiled at Mobile World Congress, that adds a sliding keyboard in landscape orientation to the diminutive X10 Mini chassis. The UI is really rich and [...]

This may be a testament to the versatility of Windows Mobile devices or to the genius of certain XDA members. It looks like user sebbo90 has figured out how to run Ubuntu on his Touch Pro2 through haret. Last month, user fatsal did likewise on the XPERIA X1. Ubuntu is a flavor of Linux (similar to Android), but is intended for laptops and desktops. You can give it a try yourself by loading the files onto your storage card, and running haret.exe. So far, most radios don’t work, and the keyboard support is still not there, but nevertheless, it’s cool to run Ubuntu on your [...]

It’s clear at MWC this year that Sony Ericsson is placing its bets on Android and not Windows Mobile. They’re expanding their line of XPERIA X10 devices with the Mini and Mini Pro. Both devices, as the name implies, are smaller and less powerful versions of the regular X10. They both have a 2.55″ QVGA screen (good luck using the tiny onscreen keyboard on the X10 Mini!) with a 600MHz CPU and 128MB of RAM and 2GB of onboard storage. They’re running on GSM with HSDPA, and are expected to be released in Q2 2010 in many different colors. They’ll also be running [...]

Sony Ericsson has alluded in a recent blog post that the XPERIA X10–an Android 1.6 handset with the company’s custom Timescape and Mediascape apps–would be getting an upgrade to Android 2.1. The company blogger asks users about features from 2.1 that they would most likely want to see: What benefits from the 2.1 release are you most interested in? That would be really interesting for me to get some more input on .

Additionally, the blogger commented on sAndroid 1.6 and 2.1 and the enhanced experience that Sony Ericsson has created on top of the stock build of [...]

Sony Ericsson, in announcing the upgrade path for Windows Mobile 6.5.3 for its high-end XPERIA X2, has gone on record saying that its X2 Windows Mobile handset doesn’t meet the hardware requirements for Windows Mobile 7!

According to Sony Ericsson in detailing its Windows Mobile 6.5.3 upgrade, “Before anyone asks, no it won’t ever go onto Windows Mobile 7, it won’t support the hardware.” It’s been long rumored that Windows Mobile 7 may require some high-end specs.

The XPERIA X2 has a 528 MHz Qualcomm processor with 256 MB each of RAM [...]

The Sony Ericsson XPERIA X2 will be receiving several important upgrades, though none of them will reach an upgrade for Windows Mobile 7. The handset is expected to get an upgrade to Windows Mobile 6.5.2 from Windows Mobile 6.5 and then later to 6.5.3, which brings along some changes to the user experience.

According to the Sony Ericsson blog,

In March, we’ll launch our first upgrade (MR1). It will upgrade Windows Mobile from 6.5.1 to 6.5.2 (which will improve both the stability and usability of the device), it will bring in the use of video telephony, an FM radio [...]

If you can’t wait for the XPERIA X10 to hit sometime this quarter and you’re stuck on Sony Ericsson’s XPERIA branding, then you’ll be happy to know that you can do a brain transplant on your Windows Mobile XPERIA X1 so that it can run Android. Unlike the X10, your X1 won’t have the Snapdragon processor, but at least you’ll get a gorgeous sliding keyboard with this Android mod.

It looks like the Qualcomm Snapdragon CPU in the Sony Ericsson XPERIA X10 Android handset is proving quite worthy as a 3D mapping program is able to pan and tilt around the city at a whopping 30 frames per second (FPS) or higher. The mapping app right now is still in proof-of-concept stage, and we’re hoping it gets shipped and ported to multiple platforms. Check out the video below.

It looks like the Sony Ericsson XPERIA X2 may be the only handset that will getting delayed–the Android-based XPERIA X10 with its user interface will still launch this year in the first quarter. According to a Sony Ericsson spokesperson in a clarification statement to MobileTech Addicts, “If anything appeared (on the Sony Ericsson website) saying otherwise, then it was incorrect.” The device seems to be on track for its release.

Out here at CES there isn’t much new for Windows Mobile, except a little piece of information I was able to shake loose from a Sony rep. Apparently the X2, which has been recently dumped from Vodafone’s future line up, will be sold unlocked starting this summer at Sony Style stores. The unlocked version will work on AT&T 3G, but probably not T-Mobile. No word on price, but a $500-$600 range makes sense.

It’s a shame that the X2 has been delayed for so long. By the time it is released in the summer, Windows Mobile 7 devices should be just weeks [...]